WHAT IS ANOREXIA?
Anorexia (a-neh-RECK-see ah) nervosa, typically called anorexia, is a type of eating disorder that mainly affects girls and young women. A person with this disorder has an intense fear of gaining weight and limits the food she eats.
Anorexia is more than just a problem with food. It's a way of using food or starving oneself to feel more in control of her life and to ease tension, anger, and anxiety. While there is no single known cause of anorexia, several things may contribute to the development of the disorder:
Read "What is Anorexia?"WHAT IS BULIMIA?
Bulimia (buh-LEE -me-ah) nervosa, typically called bulimia, is a type of eating disorder. Someone with bulimia eats a lot of food in a short amount of time (called bingeing) and then tries to prevent weight gain by purging or excessive exercise.
Bulimia is more than just a problem with food. Purging and other behaviors to prevent weight gain are ways for people with bulimia to feel more in control of their lives and ease stress and anxiety.
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Most of us overeat from time to time, and some of us often feel we have eaten more than we should have. Eating a lot of food does not necessarily mean that you have binge eating disorder. Experts generally agree that most people with serious binge eating problems often eat an unusually large amount of food and feel their eating is out of control. They may restrict or go on a diet, then overeat out of control. This pattern may be repeated over and over again.
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Orthorexia nervosa is not an officially recognized disease in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders, but is quickly gaining the attention of scholars in the psychiatric community. Orthorexia is characterized by a downright unhealthy obsession with eating "pure" foods with certain nutritional values.
Orthorexia sufferers will typically spend abnormal amounts of time planning their daily meals, and will often plan food intake the day before. Orthorexia victims will not be able to eat outside of their own house for fear of ruining their strict eating regimen.
Read "Orthorexia Nervosa"BODY IMAGE
People with negative body image have a greater likelihood of developing an eating disorder and are more likely to suffer from feelings of depression, isolation, low self-esteem, and obsessions with weight loss.
We all may have our days when we feel awkward or uncomfortable in our bodies, but the key to developing positive body image is to recognize and respect our natural shape and learn to overpower those negative thoughts and feelings with positive, affirming, and accepting ones.
Read "Body Image"TREATMENT OF EATING DISORDERS
Eating disorders are serious health conditions that can be both physically and emotionally destructive. People with eating disorders need to seek professional help. Early diagnosis and intervention may enhance recovery. Eating disorders can become chronic, debilitating, and even life-threatening conditions...
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